A Robot Pterosaur in the Multiverse

I recently had the good fortune of having my speculative poetry published in the UK, in Multiverse: An International Anthology of Science Fiction Poetry, published in December 2018. My poems appearing in the anthology are three reprints — "Superhero," "Space Opera," and "Elegy for Iain Banks, all of which were published in Altered Reality Magazine in 2016 — plus "Quetzalcoatlus roboti Heads Home." This poem had its world premiere in Multiverse! Quetzalcoatlus roboti Heads Home In 1986, aeronautic engineer Paul MacCready built a half-size pterosaur, a flying ornithopter. With a whir, its camera eyes clicked open, cybernetic pterodactyl in the sub-sub- basement of the Smithsonian Museum 30 years after its last flight. Q. northropi simulacrum stretched tawny carbon-fiber wings, shook its head and ecru-feathered crest, then began to scooch toward the elevator. Up 3 floors, out on the Green, then west, with 4 powerful wing-flaps, it rose and soared. An 18-foot-wide homing pigeon, headed for dry El Mirage Lake in the Mojave Desert, where it last flew. Seeking its Geppetto, its Victor F., its Yahweh at Eden. Young Pinocchio, Monster, Eve: a pilgrimage to its Mecca, its maker. —Vince Gotera, from Multiverse (2018) . Paul MacCready with his pterosaur ornithopter at El Mirage Lake in 1984 (from Greg Kuban, "Living Pterosaurs") Heartfelt thanks to editors Rachel Plummer and Russell Jones as well as publisher Shoreline of Infinity. Check out all the publications and wonderful literary events they sponsor! Friends, won’t you comment, please? Love to know what you’re thinking. To comment, look for a red line below that starts Posted by, then click once on the word comments in that line. If you don’t find the word “comments” in that line, then look for a blue link below that says Post a comment and click it once. Thanks! Ingat, everyone.  ヅ

Speculative Haiku for Valentine's Day

Hello, friends! I hope you're having a wonderful Valentine's Day. I'd like to share some speculative haiku for the occasion. Enjoy! steel Pinocchio chrome heart, telescoping nose robot Valentine         * * * dragon lovers’ tails twined like a Valentine heart in air, flame kisses         * * * shield shaped like a heart, sword-and-sandal warrior wields pink battle-ax         * * * spaceship skywriting BE MY VALENTINE across the star-strewn black void         * * * Bride of Frankenstein gifts a box of chocolate hearts to Valentine Boo         * * * Valentine’s Day ball in Area 51: ET’s bright red gown         * * * zombie scarfs candy hearts that say XOXO and taste like fresh brains         * * * Valentine’s snowstorm: each snowflake a red lace heart in pink Martian sky —Drafts by Vince Gotera    [Do not copy or quote . . . thanks.]         Friends, won’t you comment, please? Love to know what you’re thinking. To comment, look for a red line below that starts Posted by, then click once on the word comments in that line. If you don’t find the word “comments” in that line, then look for a blue link below that says Post a comment and click it once. Thanks! Ingat, everyone.  ヅ